Career Path of a Senior Cybersecurity Analyst at Aleta Technologies Inc.
Ian's career path began with a management information systems degree specializing in cybersecurity at the University of Arizona, leading to a role at Raytheon Technologies where they gained experience in "policy reviews, trainings, teachings, accreditations of computer systems." This experience propelled them through roles focusing on factory cybersecurity and industrial control systems, culminating in their current position at Aleta Technologies Inc., where they handle "literally everything...as it pertains to the systems and how they're protected."
Cybersecurity, Industrial Control Systems, Networking, Career Progression, Government and Military Experience
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Ian Knutson
Senior Cybersecurity Analyst
Aleta Technologies Inc.
University of Arizona 2015
Western Governors University Masters of Science Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
Computer Science
Technology
Cyber Security and IT
Video Highlights
1. Ian's career path highlights a fascinating journey from college coursework in cybersecurity to roles at Raytheon Technologies and the US Army, showcasing his expertise in information assurance, industrial control systems, and enterprise DNS administration.
2. His experience showcases the diverse applications of cybersecurity expertise across various sectors, including defense, manufacturing, and government, highlighting the breadth of opportunities in this field.
3. Ian's emphasis on continuous learning and obtaining certifications (like the one that led him to his current role at Aleta Technologies Inc.) underscores the importance of professional development in the dynamic cybersecurity landscape.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Please include any internships or jobs you've had leading up to your current role.
I was first introduced to cybersecurity in college at the University of Arizona, through the business program at Eller College of Management. I pursued a degree in Management Information Systems with a specialty in cybersecurity.
This program included a course on networking, followed by one on cybersecurity. These were my first experiences, and I was immediately fascinated by it.
A friend helped me interview for a company called Raytheon Technologies, which at the time was Raytheon Missile Systems. That's where I secured my first job in information assurance.
In that role, I focused on policy reviews, trainings, teachings, and accreditations of computer systems. So, I had the opportunity to do a lot of that.
Afterward, I transitioned to a more technical role, doing cybersecurity for factories. This involved securing the robotic arms and specialized equipment within factories, as they sometimes lacked security.
I joined a great team and was first introduced to a lot of industrial control systems. From there, I moved into an even more technical position as an enterprise DNS administrator for the US Army.
This role allowed me to learn extensively about how the internet, government operations, and different branches of the military function and interact. However, I was drawn back to factory cybersecurity.
This was after I obtained a certification in the field at Raytheon. Consequently, I accepted a role at my current company, focusing on industrial control systems and factory cybersecurity.
This encompasses everything related to these systems, including how they integrate, their security measures (or lack thereof), and the surrounding policies and funding. It has been a very fascinating, albeit unconventional, career path, and I feel very fortunate.